Two-third of Uttar Pradesh districts face drought

Officials said more than 53 of its 75 districts were reeling under an acute drought because of below average rainfall during the monsoon months that has affected agriculture and the paddy crop adversely.

Out of these districts, officials said the condition in at least 19 is "very acute and severe".

The rainfall has been only 40 percent of the average, an official told IANS, adding Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has asked Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan to assess the drought conditions so that relief could be provided to farmers.

The chief secretary has asked district magistrate of the affected districts to prepare a status report and submit it to the government at the earliest.

More than 53 of 75 districts were hit by acute drought because of low rainfall

"Once the government receives a status report with regards to the district administration's assessment, we will propose compensation and final assistance," an official told IANS.